Category: Hebrews

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Hope is the Anchor

Determination — Perserverance — Strength

All three are needed to get through the tough times and come out victorious.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

I want us to look at a few guys from the Bible who stepped up and came through in victory.

Noah preached the whole time he was building the ark and didn’t have one convert but he kept building.

Abraham was promised a natural born son and he had to wait 25 years to see the promise fulfilled.

Joseph was sold as a slave, spent time in prison, was forgotten and then made it to pharoah’s palace.

Moses led a nation of grumbling and complaining people for 40 years in the wilderness and never made it to the promised land. That should have been about a 3-4 week trip.

Jesus preached, died, rose again to show us that He is the Messiah and still many did not believe.

Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, nearly drown and held in prison but never tried and still he kept preaching.

God, the Father, isn’t willing that any should perish and has offered salvation to all. He hasn’t given up!

Each of the men above had been given a promise by God and that gave them courage to continue. They encouraged themselves with God’s word and used it to fight discouragement.

“There was no hope that Abraham would have children, but Abraham believed God and continued to hope. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, “You will have many descendants.” 19 Abraham was almost a hundred years old, so he was past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham was well aware of this, but his faith in God never became weak. 20 He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God.” Romans 4:18-20 ERV

” But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.‘ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. 10 Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 ERV

I pray that we become like these men and we continue to hope and find that when we are weak we truly are strong because we go forward in a strength that only God can give!

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Build on a Firm Foundation

When I went to bed last night I had an idea of what I would be sharing with you this morning but that all changed. I must have awaken at least 3 or 4 times with the words of this song rolling out of my heart and my head.

“Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken”

The main thing that stuck with me all night long was “I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation. And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken.”

There is so much worry and anxiety in the world. People, good people, are being overwhelmed by everyday stress, not to mention the state of our world condition.

This last weekend the Lord reminded me of His peace. We had two very windy nights. I was concerned about the stability of the roof top tent. I know what it’s like to have high wind in an RV and also in a ground tent, so those concerns were not unfounded. However, they were unnecessary.

The tent was solid. Solid as a rock!

That’s the image the Lord brought to mind with the words, “a firm foundation”.

“ ‘Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock...’ 28 When Jesus finished speaking, the people were amazed at his teaching. 29 He did not teach like their teachers of the law. He taught like someone who has authority.” Matthew 7:24-29 ERV

“ I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5b AMP

The Lord is as deeply concerned about our mental well-being as He is about our spiritual. He died for our entire person, spirit, soul and body. He does not want us to be overwhelmed.

“ Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53:4-5 AMPC

Whatever gusts of worry and distress blow at you today, remember that Christ and His amazing love has given you a firm foundation and you do not need to be shaken! Trust the foundation!!

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Shake Down Cruise in the Desert

Yes, you read that right.

Last summer Dave and I purchased a Jeep and for the past seven months we have been equipping it with all the equipment and gear we need for overlanding. Winches, roof top tent, lift kit, bigger tires, recover boards, camp kitchen, solar generator, refrigerator, etc. You get the picture. We were prepared and ready to go.

And that’s where we’ve been for the last four days – out at the desert lake. We had a marvelous time. We learned so much about our equipment and ourselves. Who says “old people can’t do this”?

This image is of our last night’s sunset. What a wonderful time!

We also learned that some of the items we brought were unnecessary and some of them were ill-suited. Those will be left at home next time and new items will replace them. We found the tent was sturdy and stable even in some pretty heavy wind.

We worked together; we walked, talked, read our books, cooked together and spoke of the future, wondering what else God has in store. It was an amazing time and we are looking forward to our next adventure.

A shaken down cruise is it a lot like living the Word of God.

You have the equipment – your Bible, a good commentary, a heart touching message on the subject. Now, you need to get out in the field or the desert and put it into practice. The equipment does you no good left in the box or packed neatly in the back of the Jeep.

It needs to be used.

There are four verses that are the basis for my daily walk. They are my basic equipment for living.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

“… for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:22-23 NKJV

“ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6 NKJV

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:4-8 CEV

Let’s put this equipment to work.

I want to please God the Father each and every day so I must have faith. Whatever I do that is not done in faith is sin; in order for faith to truly work it must have love as its foundation. To have effective faith I must be walking in love and love is kind, patient, unselfish, not rude or jealous, boastful or proud. Love assumes the best and is supportive, loyal and trusting – it never fails.

My decisions, actions and reactions need to be based on knowing God’s amazing love for me; His character is love and He shares that with me so that I can walk in faith and please Him. Never faith in my own works or abilities but always in His! Then and only then is my day truly successful!

Shakedown cruise complete, equipment tested. Walk in faith and please the Father today!

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Holding On

Years ago when I realized that the Lord had given me an ability to teach and share His word, it became my goal to share about His unconditional love, His mercy, His grace and His gift of sonship to us who believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and is risen as our living Savior.

I saw so many Christians who were like I was; reading the Bible but not really applying it to their everyday lives. We had grown up in believing in a God that’s “going to get you for that” or “you never know what God’s going to do” relationship; fearing God and His retribution rather than living in His love. So I accepted my calling to proclaim the “good news of the gospel” to Christians.

It is and was my desire to see believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It was my desire to see Christians walk in the full power of relationship with Christ and to receive fully from His blessings so that we truly are examples of Jesus, Christians, on the earth and that it would be the goodness of God that would draw men to repentance and not the condemnation of man.

There is nothing I find more fulfilling than to share God’s word through written communication, one on one personal interaction or teaching to a gathering. It’s my heart’s passion. So, this morning when I reread these verses, it reminded me of my purpose, to share with others the wonderful works of God.

“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:5-11 NKJV

Look particularly at verses 8-10. Reread them.

I titled today’s blog, “Holding On”.

Holding on to Jesus means clinging to His presence, trusting His promises, and remaining  steadfast in faith through all circumstances.

“ We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised.” Hebrews 10:23 ERV

I will declare again today – God is faithful, He is righteousness, He is my salvation and His lovingkindness endures forever!

I hope you will read all of Psalm 40. When you feel weak – Hold On!

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Never Alone

Yesterday we got together at our oldest daughters for swimming and a bbq. Our youngest daughter and her family were there too. It was a great afternoon.

Our oldest daughter mentioned that she and her husband were going on a morning trail ride with friends today. To me, it’s an almost perfect start to an Easter. You see when she and her brother were little, before their younger sister was born, we spent nearly every Easter at Cowboy Church Sonrise Service.

Before dawn, we would gather up in the grandstands at the arena and celebrate the resurrection of our wonderful Lord. We’d sing, give testimony of God’s goodness, preach a little and pray.

Those were the thoughts filling my heart as I felt off to sleep.

Jesus is our risen Lord!

We met so many people during those days, some of them still stay in contact with us. Life is good when you can join together with others who love the Lord. There’s a bond – a connection – a common love. There’s something about being together with people who know that they are loved by Christ, have been forgiven and know they will never be alone.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves. 7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.” Ephesians 1:3-7 ERV

If you feel lonely, abandoned, “forsaken”, outcast and unloved. I have one word for you – Jesus!

Jesus’ mission was to the lost and the hurting. He came for those who were hopeless, helpless and alone. His promise is real:

” Don’t fall in love with money… The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us.” Hebrews 13:5 CEV

Money and things will never fulfill our hearts desire. They can satisfy for a while but Jesus has promised to never leave us – He won’t abandon us, desert us or leave us unprotected and without help.

“ Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

That was the message we preached in those moments just before dawn. In those grandstands and bleachers at rodeo arenas across Arizona. That’s the message that we will be preaching today.

Christ is faithful. He is forgiving. He knows our needs. He is risen! and because He rose, we will never be alone, abandon or left without help and hope. He is risen indeed!

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He Lives

There were three that died that day on crosses but only One lives!

You all know how I feel about the old hymns. There is so much truth and power in those songs but because I sang them over and over again as a child I didn’t realize the value of the words. Also, sad to say, the message of those songs didn’t line up with the message that many times was being preached from the pulpit.

I often heard “this life down here will always be a struggle BUT when we get to heaven it will all be worth it”. I agree with the fact the heaven will be so much greater, not even comparable, with the life we live here but we are called to be victorious and world over comers living the abundant life of Christ while we are here. So many times, Christians live as if they were saved and stuck.

Jesus didn’t live that way and He doesn’t want us to either. When he died, rose and ascended to the Father, Jesus lives to make intercession for us. He is our source of strength and our example of victory.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 NKJV

Remember our message a few weeks back on the resurrection – Jesus spoke Mary’s name and told her to tell the disciples that He is risen! This old hymn reminds us that Jesus is alive and walking with us, giving us a life of victory.

• I serve a risen Savior

He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living,

Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy;

I hear His voice of cheer;

And just the time I need Him

He’s always near.

• He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

• In all the world around me

I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary,

I never will despair;

I know that He is leading,

Through all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing

Will come at last.

• Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,

Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs

To Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him,

The Help of all who find,

None other is so loving,

So good and kind.

Lyrics by Alfred Ackley

HE LIVES! He lives within my heart.

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Knowing What’s Ahead

How many times do we wish we could know our future? What will happen next week, next month, next year? If we only knew…

Jesus knew.

He had preached a message that He was the Good Shepherd and like a good shepherd He would give His life for the sheep. He boldly proclaimed, “I am the Son of God”. Some people believed Him but most wanted to arrest Him and have Him killed. (John 10)

Jesus knew what was ahead. He separated Himself and His disciples.

A few days later He received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. He stayed where He was another two days. He knew what would happen.

Lazarus died. He went to Bethany and He knew that He would perform another miracle. He would raise Lazarus from the tomb after he had been dead for four days. This miracle sealed Jesus fate. The religious elite were determined to have Him killed.

“ From that day on, the council started making plans to put Jesus to death. 54 Because of this plot against him, Jesus stopped going around in public. He went to the town of Ephraim, which was near the desert, and he stayed there with his disciples.” John 11:53-54 CEV

Jesus knew. It was almost Passover and people were asking if Jesus would come.

“The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!'” John 12:12-13 NLT

This incident has become known as Palm Sunday. The day we celebrate today!

“Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.” Psalm 118:25 NLT

Jesus knew. He also knew this would lead to His arrest, mock trial, beating and crucifixion. He knew.

So why did He put Himself through all of this?

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLT

Jesus knew the Father’s plan and He submitted to it willingly.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

He knew and He endured the cruelty because He also knew that joy that was waiting for Him.

Jesus knew that His obedience of suffering for sin would keep us from having to pay that price!

Now we can look ahead and see that we have been made right with God and our future is glorious!

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The Gift of Grace

Yesterday I shared with you on mercy. Today I want you to see grace, love in action.

Some teach that if we are “good christians” we will never face the hard things in life. But that just isn’t true. All we have to do is look at Jesus – He was maligned, misunderstood, hated and crucified.

The Apostle Paul said that he was being buffeted (harassed) by a “messenger of Satan” and that He had asked the Lord three times to deliver him. I’ve heard it said that God basically told him to “buck up”. But I don’t see it that way at all. I see God’s response to Paul as one of victory and deliverance – making him an overcomer and more than a conqueror. You read and you decide.

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV

Now for the Complete Jewish Bible

“Three times I begged the Lord to take this thing away from me; 9 but he told me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is brought to perfection in weakness.” Therefore, I am very happy to boast about my weaknesses, in order that the Messiah’s power will rest upon me. 10 Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 CJB

Christ was the strongest when He hung on the cross and cried out “Father, forgive them”. Grace is giving others something they don’t deserve – mercy, that we saw yesterday, is not giving others something they do deserve.

Jesus, in His most painful moments, forgave the thief hanging next to Him on the cross. Paul was stoned and left for dead one day and got up and walk to the neighboring town the next day to preach the gospel. He lived out what God had said.

“My grace is sufficient. My power is made perfect in weakness”.

Now, let’s look at grace and mercy together.

“ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV

Thank you Father for your grace being sufficient for me. It gives me YOUR strength for my weakness. Grace is God’s love in action!

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Mercy Rewrites the Story

Time this morning for another old song.

Mercy rewrote my life. Mercy rewrote my life. I should have fallen, my soul cast down but mercy rewrote my life.

Each year as we get closer to celebrating the resurrection of our Savior, and our Lord, my heart is drawn to focus on His mercy and sacrifice on our behalf.

Mercy: (I want this word to become engrained in your heart)

from Merriam Webster dictionary

1 a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment

2 a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

3 : compassionate treatment of those in distress

Compassion shown to an offender. The focal point of the Tabernacle was the mercy seat. The focal point of God’s relationship to man is mercy!

Can you imagine being tasked with the responsibility for crafting the items used in the Tabernacle?

“Bezalel built a chest of acacia wood forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high. 2 He covered it inside and out with pure gold and put a gold edging around the top…6 The entire lid of the chest, which was also covered with pure gold, was the place of mercy.” Exodus 37:1-6 CEV

This chest was the ark of the covenant – this ark was a sign of God’s presence and here in God’s presence was the place to find mercy!

Why do we so often run from God when we sin? The Father’s heart is that we run to Him, run to Him for mercy and for help, run to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

The high priest could only enter the Holy of Holies and offer the blood sacrifice once a year to the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. But no more!

Jesus became our high priest, and He offered His own shed blood for the forgiveness of sins and we have been forever cleansed! Hallelujah!

“11 Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here. He also went into a much better tent that wasn’t made by humans and that doesn’t belong to this world. 12 Then Christ went once for all into the most holy place and freed us from sin forever. He did this by offering his own blood instead of the blood of goats and bulls.” Hebrews 9:11-12 CEV

I heard mercy described like this once.

We are taken to court with a long list of charges (sin) against us. The prosecutor (satan) stands before the judge (the Father) and declares that we are guilty. The defense attorney (Jesus) stands before the judge and says “My client throws himself on the mercy of the court, Your Honor.”

The judge then says” I will grant your plea for mercy however someone has to pay the penalty”. Then the defense attorney, Jesus, steps forward and says “I will pay the penalty Your Honor. Let my client go and take Me in His place. (grace)”

Mercy: not receiving the penalty we deserve

Grace: receiving release or forgiveness that we don’t deserve

Thank you Father for your mercy and your grace! Your mercy rewrote my life’s story!

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From the Heart

I’m not normally someone who has restless sleep but this week has been a booger!

Tossing and turning all night long.

However, with that as my back story, coffee in hand, quiet surrounding me, except for the birds I have been listening to my heart. And wouldn’t you know it…I heard a song.

“Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.” by Keith Green, 1980

1980, I was a young mother with two small children, ages 5 1/2 and 4. I had recently experienced a miscarriage and I was learning to lean on the Lord’s strength in ways that were beyond my years.

This song became the anthem of my heart. “Your face is all I seek. Your grace abounds to me”.

The abounding grace of Jesus – His grace that covered all my sin, His grace that brought me into right standing with the Father, His grace that saved me.

“ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.

7-8  Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,  9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.” Ephesians 1:5-9 CEV

“ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NJKV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV

We have God’s promise that when we seek His kingdom, His way of doing things, we will find it and not only will be find it but we will be rewarded for seeking Him.

“ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Good days or bad days. Rest filled days or restless days, it doesn’t matter. We come to Him and praise Him from the heart and He will do the rest.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3  and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

Yes Lord, You are beautiful and I will praise you with all my heart!

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